The US Embassy in Podgorica called for calming the tensions that have risen due to the upcoming enthronement of the new metropolitan of Montenegrin and Littoral Joanikia, while the EU Delegation in Podgorica warned that statements that create ethnic and religious tensions are contrary to European values.
They answered the questions of "Vijesti" regarding the event that will take place on September 5 in Cetinje.
The EU Delegation in Podgorica told the newspaper that the regulation of religious communities is an issue within the framework of national competence, and that it is not up to the EU to comment on issues related to the place of enthronement of the leader of a religious community in Montenegro.
"Any statements or activities that create ethnic and religious tensions and divisions are contrary to fundamental European values. The integration of Montenegro into the EU is a process that involves the entire society and benefits all its citizens. "Montenegro needs all parts of society to work constructively together, in order to progress on the way to the EU," the Delegation stated.
The US, as stated by its Embassy, broadly supports freedom of religion, including the right of individuals to practice their religion freely, but also, at the same time, also supports freedom of expression, including the right to peaceful assembly.
"The embassy is concerned about the escalating rhetoric we are witnessing on the occasion of the enthronement of the newly elected Metropolitan Ioaniki. We encourage the Montenegrin authorities and the Montenegrin Littoral Metropolitanate (MCP) of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) to cooperate closely on the issue of the place of enthronement of the newly elected Metropolitan Joaniki, whereby the safety of the citizens should come first. We invite everyone, citizens and political and religious leaders, to contribute to reducing tensions. "Montenegro has long been recognized for its diversity and tolerance, and all its citizens should do everything in their power to preserve this proud tradition," the Embassy said.
Religious analyst from Belgrade, Vladimir Veljkovic, he said that it is a church custom that the enthronement of a new metropolitan - that is, his introduction to the throne - takes place in the table church and the table city of the metropolis.
He told "Vijesta" that this was the procedure during the majority of enthronements of metropolitans and bishops in the Serbian Orthodox Church.
"This means that, from an ecclesiastical and canonical perspective, it is a completely correct decision to enthrone the new metropolitan of Montenegrin-Seaside in Cetinje," he points out.
Part of the opposition - led by the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and its close circles - has been heating up the atmosphere for days due to the enthronement of the metropolitan. Joanikia. In the DPS-friendly media, the upcoming event - which will be attended by the patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church Porphyry - it is called, among other things, a "traitor's feast", the holding of which will not be allowed.
Portals and social networks are circulating an invitation to a gathering in Cetinje, near the Lovćenska Villa, on August 22, from which, as stated, a message will be sent that the enthronement in that city should be abandoned.
On the initiative of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) - an extraordinary session of the Assembly of the capital, where the enthronement will be discussed, is scheduled for August 27. The SDP had previously proposed to the Assembly of the capital that "in order to preserve civil peace", invite the organizers of the enthronement to abandon the announced event in the Cetinje monastery.
SDP proposes that the Assembly authorizes the mayor of Cetinje Aleksandar Kascelan (DPS) to perform the necessary actions within its jurisdiction, "in order to prevent activities on the territory of Cetinje".
Veljković says that there can always be exceptions due to which the enthronement cannot take place in a table church and a table city, but that he does not see what would be the reason to set a precedent in this case.
"The debate on the enthronement of the new metropolitan has been politicized. It would be fair if the story is not politicized, because that is not the path that leads to the calming of tensions and the normalization of political life in Montenegro," he says.
The MCP recently announced that during the enthronement of the previous metropolitans in Cetinje - Joaniki Lipovac, Arsenija Bradvarević, Danilo Dajković i Amfilohije Radović - which, as they state, were performed with the blessing or with the direct presence of the Serbian patriarchs or their proxies, there were no protests.
Veljković says that it seems to him that individuals are looking for political points with the story of the enthronement.
"Metropolitan Joanikije said in previous months that the Church, after solving the issue of the Law on Freedom of Religion, is not interested in politics. However, now it turns out that politics, parties and groups are interested in events and actions in the Church", he emphasizes.
The interlocutor states that everyone, including politicians, can have objections to the actions of church elders, but, according to him, disputes that can be resolved through dialogue in public are one thing, and raising tensions is another.
"And with messages that potentially take into account even some difficulties and, God forbid, conflicts. Such messages should be abandoned," he says.
Kascelan to the embassies: Appeal that the enthronement does not take place in Cetinje
Yesterday, the mayor of the capital sent a letter to the resident ambassadors in Montenegro in which, as reported by his cabinet, he pointed out the growing tensions due to the announced enthronement in the Cetinje monastery.
He called on the ambassadors, in part of their responsibilities, to appeal for calming tensions and, as he said, respect the will of part of the Montenegrin public that the enthronement of Joaniki should not be held in Cetinje, but that another place in Montenegro should be chosen for that act.
"I respect the religious rights and freedoms of all citizens, but I believe that preserving peace must be a priority at this moment," said Kašćelan, adding that he is concerned about the current development of the situation and that he is obliged to do everything to prevent any unwanted consequences.
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